Blade of Steel has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL or NHLPA

BLADE OF STEEL


Insider offers update on Auston Matthews demanding a trade request from the Leafs


PUBLICATION
Alexander Cole
January 24, 2026  (8:47)
SHARE THIS STORY

Jan 21, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) moves the puck past Detroit Red Wings defenseman Albert Johansson (20) in the third period at Scotiabank Arena
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos has been theorizing the next move for Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, and his comments are going to be unpopular.

Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs did not have a good game last night as they took on Mitch Marner and the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
This regulation loss is a big problem for the Leafs, as it means they are now further away from making it into a playoff spot, which is not good at all.
For Matthews and the front office, this is a reason to panic. If the Leafs aren't a playoff team, what exactly are they? Do they need to rebuild?
Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos is contemplating some of these questions, and he is offering up a theory that is not going to be popular in Toronto.

Nick Kypreos on Auston Matthews

The insider and former NHL star claims he believes Matthews is going to think about a trade if the Maple Leafs do not make the playoffs.
This would be absolutely disastrous for the Leafs, as a Matthews trade would all but guarantee the triggering of a rebuild.
If you are a Maple Leafs fan, all of this probably terrifies you. Mitch Marner is thriving in Las Vegas, and the Leafs are struggling to keep up.
Matthews would have every right to leave, but the fanbase would certainly never forgive him for doing so. Either way, people like Kypreos are going to speculate.
On Sunday, the Maple Leafs play against the Colorado Avalanche, and that is a game the Leafs have to win, or they are in serious trouble.
Ultimately, the Maple Leafs have a lot to figure out right now, and there is no denying that the stakes are higher than they've ever been.
POLL
JANVIER 24|414 ANSWERS
Insider offers update on Auston Matthews demanding a trade request from the Leafs

Do you believe Auston Matthews would request a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs?

YES26864.7 %
NO14635.3 %
List of polls

BLADE OF STEEL
COPYRIGHT @2026 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS OF SERVICE - PRIVACY POLICY - COOKIE POLICY
RSS FEED - SITEMAP - ROBOTS.TXT